Change-speed mechanism



w. T, SEARS. CHANGE SPEED MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 30, I9I8-1,342,928. Paten Je 8, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

awn/Mm WLZZMM T 3m W. T. SEAR-S. CHANGE SPEED MECHANISM.APPLICATIONFILED OCT. 30, I918.

1,3423% Immune 8, 1920.,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- WILLARD T. SEARS, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOIR. TONILES-BEMENTPOND COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEWJERSEY.

CHANGE-SPEED MECHANISM.

Application filed October 30, 1918.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLARD T. SEARS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Change- SpeedMechanisms, of whichwthe following 1s a specification.

The object of the invention is to provide a change-speed mechanism whichis capable of providing a relatively large number of speeds and whichcan be readily ad uSted to provide any desired speed by means of asingle control element.

The accompanying drawings show the preferred embodiment of theinvention, but it will be understood that the drawings are forillustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as defining orlimiting the scope of the invention, the accompanying claims beingrelied upon for that purpose.

()f the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken along the line11 of Fig. 2.

Fig. tional Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end view taken from the left.

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken along the lines 4-4of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal horizontal sectional view taken along the line5-5 of Fi 1.

in the accompanying drawings 1 have shown a mechanism which is adaptedto be used with or as a part of a radial drilling machine of the sortshown in my copending application for radial drilling machines, SerialNo. 256,430, filed October 1st, 1918. It will be understood, however,that the invention is not so limited and that it can beembodied inmechanisms different from that herein shown and adapted for otherpurposes.

As illustrated, there is provided a housin 1 which is a part of thedrilling machine and which serves as a support for the changespeedmechanism to which the present invention relates. Mounted in the housing1 is a shaft 2 carrying a gear 3. This gear 3 can be considered as theinitial drive element of the drilling machine proper and the changespeed mechanism is connected with this driv- 2 is a longitudinalhorizontal secview taken along the line 2-2 of Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented June 8, 1926).

Serial No. 260,224.

ing gear for the purpose of rotating it at any desired one of aplurality of speeds.

The various parts of the changespeed mechanism are carried by a frame lwhich is secured to the housing 1. Preferably the frame is constructedin the form of a casing or housing which incloses many of the parts ofthe mechanism to retain lubricant and to exclude dust and dirt. Power isderived from any suitable source, and for purposes of illustration, 1have shown an electric motor 5 which is mountedon the top of the frame4. Mounted 011 the armature shaft of the motor is a pinion 6 which isdriven by the motor preferably by means of a friction clutch 7. Thepinion 6 meshes with a gear 8 on a longitudinal shaft '9, this shaftalso carrying a gear 10.

Longitudinally mounted in the frame 4 are two parallel horizontal shafts11 and 12. The shaft 11 carries a gear 13 which meshes with theaforesaid gear 10, and the shaft12 carries a gear 14 which meshes withthe aforesaid gear 3. Fixedly secured on one of the shafts, in this casethe shaft 11, are several gears of different diameters. Mounted on theother shaft, in this case the shaft 12, are several independentlyslidable gears which correspond in number to the gears-on the shaft 11and which are adapted respectively to mesh with the said gears. Thegears on the shaft 12 are preferably arranged in pairs, the gears ofeach pair being slidably movable in unison. When these gears are soarranged in pairs, the gears on the shaft 11 are spaced apart so thatany pair of gears can be moved in one direction to effect meshing of oneof the gears thereof with its mate, and in the other direction to effectthe meshing of the other of the gears thereof with its mate. Asillustrated, there are eight gears on the shaft 11 designatedrespectively by 15, 16, 17 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22. The gears on the shaft12 are desig-nated by 23, 2 1-, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30, these gearsbeing arranged in pairs, as illustrated.

For moving the slidable gears along the shaft 12, there is provided alongitudinally movable rod 31 which is parallel with the shafts 11 and12. Means are provided whereby the rod can be connected with any one ofthe pairs of gears to move the said pair in either direction to effectmeshing. The rod 31 is preferably also movable angularly about its axisin order to effect the aforesaid connection with the pairs of gears.Preferably, for moving the rod either longitudinally or angularly, thereis provided a hand lever 32. This lever is transversely pivoted at 33 toa yoke 34. The yoke 34 is connected with a bushing 35 which surroundsthe rod 31 and is angularly movable thereon in a bearing in the mainframe 4. The rod 32 is forked to receive and closely fit the rectangularend of the rod 31, and each fork is provided with a slot which receivesa pin 36 extending transversely through the rod. It will be seen thatthe rod 31 can be moved longitudinally by swinging the lever 32 aboutits pivot at 33.

The rod can be moved angularly by swinging the lever about the axis ofthe rod, the bushing 35 turning in its bearing.

The mechanism whereby any pair of gears may be connected with the rod 31is preferably constructed as follows: Each pair of gears is formed witha grooved hub and arms 37, 38, 39 and 40 are fitted in the respectivegrooves so as to be capable of angular movement about the axis of theshaft 12.. The arms are provided respectively with fingers 37 38 39* and40 which are adapted res ectively to be embraced by forks 37 38 39 and40 secured to the rod 31. The forks are arranged at different angularpositions'on the rod 31 so that by turning the rod about its axis anyfork can be brought into association with the corresponding finger, andthe arrangement is such that only one fork can be engaged'with a fingerat onetime. When the operator desires to move any pair of gears ineither direction, he first turns the rod 31 by means of the handle 32 soas to bring one of the forks into engagement with the fingercorresponding to the pair of gears which is to be moved. If, forinstance, the pair of gears 2324 is to be moved, the rod 31 is turned tobring the fork 37" into engagement with the finger 37 Then the operator,by

moving the lever 32 about its pivotal axis at 33, can move the rod 31longitudinally in either direction and thus either bring the gear 23into mesh with the gear 15, as illustrated, or bring the gear 24 intomesh with the gear 16. The other ears are not moved as the correspondingngers are not engaged by the forks on the rod 31.

In order that none of the gears may be moved accidentally, there ispreferably provided in connection with each arm a lockin mechanism whichprevents the movement 0 the arm and the corresponding gears except whenconnected with the rod 31; As illustrated, there are positionedrespectively adjacent the arms, notched lugs 41, 42, 43 and 44, thenotches of the lugs being so positioned as to be adapted to receiveteeth 45 formed on the respective arms. Means is provided in connectionwith each arm for pressin'g'it'forwardso as to hold its tooth 45 inengagement with the corresponding notch. As illustrated, this meansconsists of a spring-pressed plunger 46 mounted in an aperture in thearm and engaging a boss 47 on the main frame. In order that the lockingdevice for each arm may be released when the arm is about to be moved bythe rod 31, there are provided. cams 48 associated respectively with theforks 37 to 40 and adapted respectively to engage the fingers 37 to 40*.When the rod 31 is turned to effect engagement between any fork and oneof the fingers, the corresponding cam 48 engages the finger and pressesthe corresponding arm backward, thus disengaging the tooth 45 from itsnotch.

In order to prevent the operator from inadvertently disconnecting, therod 31 from a pair of gears when the said pair of gears is in anoperative position, I provide means which makes it impossible for therod to be turned except when in its neutral position with all of thegears out of mesh. The means provided for this purpose consists of -aslotted bracket 49 through which the-lever 32 extends. This bracket isprovided with a maintransverse slot 50 through which the.

lever 32 may be moved to turn the rod 31 about its axis. Associated withthe main slot 50 and extending transversely thereof are fourlongitudinal slots 51, 52, 53mm 54 which are positioned to receive thelever 32 and permit its pivotal movement when one of the forks isengaged with the corresponding finger. It will be seen that the bracket49 serves to prevent' the rod 31 from being turned except when inneutral position, and that the bracket further serves to prevent the rod41 from being moved longitudinally to move apair of gears, exceptwhen ithas been moved angularly to a predetermined extent so as to becompletely connected with one of the arms.

What. I claim is:

1. In a change-speed mechanism, the combination of two parallel shafts,a plurality of differently diametered gears fixed on one shaft, aplurality of gears independently slidable on, the other shaft andadapted to mesh respectively with the gears on the first shaft, alongitudinally and angularly movable rod positioned parallel with theshafts, a single means for moving the rod longitudinally and angularly,and means comprising a plurality of gear-engaging elements dependent onthe angular movement of the rod-whereby the rod may be connected withany one of the slidable gears to move it longitudinally into or out ofmesh with its mate.

2. In a change-speed mechanism, the combination of two parallel shafts,a plurality of differently diametered gears fixed on one shaft, a.plurality of gears independently slidable on the other shaft andadapted'to mesh respectively with the gears on the first shaft, alongitudinally and angularly movable rod positioned parallel with theshafts, a single means for moving the rod longitudinally and angularly,means comprisinga plurality of gear-engaging elements dependent on theangular movement of the rod whereby the rod may be connected with anyone of the slidable gears to move it longitudinally into or out of meshwith its mate, and means supplemental to the rod and adapted to engagethe gear-engaging elements for locking each slidable gear not connectedwith the rod out of mesh with its mate.

3. In a change-speed mechanism, the combination of two parallel shafts,a plurality of differently diametered gears fixed on one shaft, aplurality of gears independently slidable on the other shaft and adaptedto mesh respectively with the gears on the first shaft, a longitudinallyand angularly movable rod positioned vparallel with the shafts, a singlemeans for moving the rod longitudinally and angularly, means comprisinga-plurality of gear-engaging elements dependent on the angular movementof the rod whereby the rod may be connected with any one of the slidablegears to move it longitudinally into or out of mesh with its mate, andmeans supplemental to the rod and adapted to engage the gear-engagingelements for locking each slidable gear not connected with the rod outof mesh with its mate, the said locking means for any gear beingreleased by the rod when the rod is angularly moved to effect connectionwith the said gear.

4. In a change-speed mechanism, the combination of two parallel shafts,a plurality of differently diametered gears fixed on onev shaft, aplurality of gears independently slidable on the other shaft and adaptedto mesh respectively with the gears on the first shaft, a longitudinallyand angularly movable rod positioned parallel with the shafts, a singlemeans for moving the rod longitudinally and angularly, means comprisinga plurality of gear-engaging elements dependent on the angular movementof the rod whereby the rod may be connected with any one of the slidablegears .to move itlongitudinally into or out of mesh with its mate, andmeans for preventing' angular movement of the rod to efiect connectionor disconnection except when all of the slidable gears are out of mesh.

5. In a change-speed mechanism, the combination of twoparallel shafts, aplurality of differently diametered gearsfixed on one shaft, a pluralityof gears independently slidable on the other shaft and adapted to meshrespectively with the gears on the first shaft, a longitudinally andangularly movable rod positioned parallel with the shafts, a singlemeans for moving the rod longitudinally and angularly, means comprisinga plurality of gear engaging elements dependent on the angular movementof the rod whereby the rod may be connected with any one of the slidablegears to move it longitudinally into or out of mesh with its mate, andmeans for preventing longitudinal movement of the rod except when it ismoved angularly to a predetermined extentto effect full connection withone of the slidable gears.

6. In a change-speed mechanism, the combination of two parallel shafts,a plurality of differently diametered gears fixed on one shaft, aplurality of gears independently slidable on the other shaft and adaptedto mesh respectively with the gears on the first shaft, a longitudinallyand angularly movable rod positioned parallel with the shafts, a singlemeans for moving the rod longitudinally and angularly, means comprisinga plurality of gear-engaging elements dependent on the angular movementof the rod whereby the rod may be connected with any one of the slidablegears to move it longitudinally into or out of mesh with its mate, meansfor preventing longitudinal movement of the rod except when it is movedangularly to a predetermined extent to effect full connection with oneof the slidable gears, and means adapted to engage the gear-engagingelements for locking each slidable gear not connected with the rod outof mesh with its mate.

7. In a change-speed mechanism, the combination of two parallel shafts,a plurality of differently diametered gears fixed on one shaft, aplurality of gears independently slidable on the other shaft and adaptedto mesh respectively with the gears on the first shaft, a longitudinallyand angularly movable rod positioned parallel with the shafts, a singlemeans for moving the rod longitudinally and angularly, means comprisinga plurality of gear-engaging elements dependent on the angular movementof the rod whereby the rod may be connected with any one of the slidablegears to move it longitudinally into or out of mesh with its mate, andmeans for preventing angular movement of the rod to effect connection ordisconnection exoe t when all of the slidable gears are out o mesh and 1for preventing longitudinal movement of the rod except when it is movedangularly to a predetermined extent to effect full connection with oneof the slidable gears.

8. In a change-speed mechanism, the com- 12 bination of two parallelshafts, a plurality of differently diametered gears fixed on one shaft,a plurality of gears independently slidable on the other shaft andadapted to mesh respectively with the gears on the first shaft, alongitudinally and angularly movable rod positioned parallel with theshafts, means dependent on the angular movement of the rod whereby therod may be connected with any one of the slidable gears to move itlongitudinally into or out of mesh with its mate, a handle mounted onthe rod for moving it angularly and longitudinally, and means includinga longitudinally and transversely slotted bracket inclosing the handleand adapted to prevent angular movement of the rod to effect connectionor disconnection cxcept'when all of the slidable gears are out of meshand for preventing longitudinal movement of the rod except when it ismoved angularly to a predetermined extent to effect full connection withone of the slidable gears.

9. In a change-speed mechanism, the combination of two parallel shafts,a plurality of differently diametered gears fixed on one shaft, aplurality of pairs of gears independently slidable on the other shaftwhereby either of the gears of any pair may be brought into mesh with amating gear on the first shaft, a longitudinally movable rod positionedparallel with the shafts, means including a plurality of gear-engagingelements on the rod whereby the rod may be connected with any one of theslidable pairs of gears, and means mounted on the rod to move the rodlongitudinally in either direction to bring one of the gearsthereof intoor out of mesh with its mate.

10. In a change-speed mechanism, the combination of two parallel shafts,a plurality of differently diametered gears fixed on one shaft, aplurality of pairs of gears independently slidable on the other shaft,whereby either of the gears of any pair may be brought into mesh with amating gear on the first shaft, a longitudinally and angularly movablerod positioned parallel with the shafts, means including a plurality ofgear-engaging elements on the rod and dependent on angular movement ofthe rod whereby the rod may be connected with any one of the slidablepairs of gears, and means mounted on the rod to move the rodlongitudinally in either direction to bring one of the gears thereofinto or out of mesh with its mate.

11. In a change-speed mechanism, the combination of two parallel shafts,a plurality of differently diametered gears fixed on one shaft, aplurality of gears independently slidable on the other shaft and adaptedto mesh respectively with the gears on the first shaft, a longitudinallymovable rod positioned parallel with the shafts, arms connectedrespectively with the slidable gears and supported independently of therod, and a single means whereby the rod may be moved to connect it withany one of the arms to bring the corresponding slidable gear into or outof mesh with its mate.

'12. In a change-speed mechanism, the combination of two parallelshafts, a plurality of differently diametered gears fixed movement ofthe rod whereby the rod may be connected with any one of the arms tobring the corresponding slidable gear into or out of mesh with its mate,and a single means for moving the rod longitudinally and angularly.-

13. In a change-speed mechanism, the combination of two parallel shafts,a plurality of differently diametered gears fixed on one shaft, aplurality of gears independently slidable on the other shaft and adaptedto mesh respectively with the gears on the first shaft, a longitudinallymovable rod positioned parallel with the shafts, arms connectedrespectively with the slidable gears and supported independently of therod, a single means whereby the rod may be moved to connect it with anyone of the arms to bring the corresponding slidable gear into or out ofmesh with its mate, and means engaging the arms for locking eachslidable gear not connected with the rod out of mesh with its mate.

14. In a change-speed mechanism, the combination of two parallel shafts,a plurality of differently diametered gears fixed on one shaft, aplurality of gears independently slidable on the other shaft andadapted-to mesh respectively with the gears on the first shaft, alongitudinally movable rod positioned parallel with the shafts, armsmounted respectively on the slidable gears and angularly movable aboutthe axis of said gears, and means whereby the rod may be-connected withany one of the arms to bring the corresponding slidable gear into or outof mesh with its mate.

15. In a change-speed mechanism, the combination of twoparallel shafts,a plurality of differently diametered gears fixed on one shaft, aplurality of gears independently slidable on the other shaft and adaptedto mesh respectively with the gears on the first shaft, a longitudinallymovable rod positioned parallel with the shafts, arms connectedrespectively with the slidable gears and angularly movable about theaxis of the said gears, means whereby the rod may be connected with anyone of the arms to bring the corresponding slidable gear into or out ofmesh with its mate, and means engaging the arms and dependent on theangularl 33 movement thereof for preventing lon itudinal movement exceptwhen connecte with the rod. I

16. In a change-speed mechanism, the combination of two parallel shafts,a plurality of differently diametered gears fixed on one shaft, aplurality of gears independently slidable on the other shaft and adaptedto mesh respectively with the gears 0n the first shaft, a'longitudinallymovable rod positioned parallel with the shafts, arms connectedrespectivelywith the slidable gears and angularly movable about the axisof the said gears, means whereby the rod may be connected with any oneof the arms to bring the corresponding slidable gear into or out on oneshaft, a plurality of gears independently slidable on the other shaftand adapted to mesh respectively with the gears on the first shaft, alongitudinally and angularly movable rod positioned parallel with theshafts, arms connected respectively with the slidable gears andangularly movable about the axis of the said gears, means dependent onangular movement of the rod whereby the rod may be connected with anyone of the arms to bring the corresponding slidable gear into or out ofmesh with its mate, means engaging the arms and dependent on the angularmovement thereof for prevent-' ing longitudinal movement except whencon-,

nected with the rod, and means dependent on the angular movement of therod for releasing the arm with which the rod is connected.

In testimony whereof I hereto affix my signature.

WILLARD r. SEARS.

